Mayor Julián Castro and a group of local business leaders will arrive today in London for a quick trade mission focused on energy and information technology.

The group, invited by the British government, has a busy agenda, meeting with British politicians, United Kingdom business leaders and high-ranking government officials over the next few days.

The group plans to return in time for Thanksgiving.

Castro also will present a keynote lecture Monday at the London School of Economics on “U.S. Leadership in the 21st Century.” The mayor said he'll discuss how communities will thrive in this new era by investing in themselves to lead the way.

The trade mission in the U.K. serves several purposes, Dickson said Friday.

“I think there's a lot of opportunity to kick the door open and make new relationships,” he said.

The trip gives Castro a chance to interact with international media, and the business leaders can continue to build relationships with their British counterparts.

And that can have an impact in San Antonio, Dickson said.

Castro said trade missions are important to help grow the local economy.

“It's clear that companies like Rackspace are already doing robust business in the U.K.,” he said. “We want to grow business opportunities for those San Antonio companies as well as attract companies from the U.K. and other free-trade partners like them.”

The British government is sponsoring the trip for Castro and his chief of staff, Robbie Greenblum.

Dickson's company, which does custom software development, among other things, competes in an international market. But as it increases its client base, there's more opportunity for new jobs in San Antonio.

“The net for San Antonio will be more product and service sales that will keep people gainfully employed and create new jobs here,” Dickson said.

CPS Energy Executive Vice President Cris Eugster, who's charged with strengthening the utility's use of sustainable energy, also will accompany the mayor. Tesoro Chairman and CEO Gregory Goff and Eric Fisher, president of Valero's European operations, are members of the delegation as well.

CPS Energy spokeswoman Lisa Lewis said in an email the utility understands that part of establishing San Antonio as a hub for the new-energy economy and attracting international commerce is building collaboration with peers. Greg Barker, the U.K.'s minister for energy and climate change, met with Castro and others in San Antonio in May.

“We shared information with them about our efforts surrounding energy efficiency and renewable resources,” Lewis said. “This is our chance to learn about their efforts in the same arena.”

Eugster also plans to learn more about options for repurposing existing coal plants. He also has scheduled meetings to discuss electric vehicle infrastructure and development, Lewis said.

The delegation will spend all day Monday and Tuesday in various meetings.

The delegation's agenda Monday includes a meeting with members of Prime Minister David Cameron's team at No. 10 Downing St., a tour of the House of Parliament with Shadow Secretary John Spellar, and Castro's speech at the London School of Economics.

From Houston, British Consul General Andrew Millar said in a statement his country “couldn't be more pleased” to help connect Castro with leaders in British industry and government.

“There are a number of British firms keen to increase trade into San Antonio, so there is great enthusiasm for the Mayor's visit. Britain is the No. 1 investor in Texas. Our companies have already created over 70,000 jobs here,” he said. “Growing trade and investment still further is a priority of the British government and the mayor.”

Through Castro's leadership, San Antonio is “at the forefront of the new energy economy, and there is real excitement on our part to learn more about his vision for the city and how we can be part of that growth,” Millar said.